Find the best beginner airliner for any flight simulator, why the A320 usually wins, when to choose a 737, and how to learn without overload.
For most beginners, the best airliner in a general flight simulator is an Airbus A320-family aircraft in a runway-ready state. Its autothrust, flight-envelope protections and automated systems reduce workload. Start with an included A320 where available; move to a detailed add-on after mastering a stable circuit and ILS approach.
For general civil flight simulation, that recommendation applies across MSFS, X-Plane, FSX and Prepar3D. It assumes you want to learn airline operations rather than simply keep a jet airborne. Basic pitch, power, trim and circuit skills are still easier to acquire in a light aeroplane first.
Why is the A320 the best beginner airliner?
The A320 is the easiest mainstream jetliner to learn because it automates several tasks that otherwise compete for a beginner’s attention. Autotrim reduces manual pitch-trim work, autothrust manages engine thrust, and flight-envelope protections help prevent excessive pitch, bank and angle of attack.
Those protections depend on the aircraft operating in normal law and on how faithfully the simulator models its systems. They do not rescue a badly configured or unstable approach.
The main A320 trap is automation mode confusion. The Flight Mode Annunciator at the top of the Primary Flight Display shows what the aeroplane is actually doing; a selected altitude or programmed route does not prove that the relevant mode is active. Learning to read the annunciator is more valuable than memorising every MCDU page.
Should a beginner choose an A320 or a Boeing 737?
Choose the A320 for lower workload and the 737-800 for more conventional, hands-on flying. Neither is a bad first airliner, but their cockpit logic feels noticeably different.
| Aircraft | Choose it when | Main beginner catch |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320 family | You want automation, autotrim and a relatively consistent modern workflow | Managed and selected modes, thrust detents and MCDU logic can be confusing |
| Boeing 737-800 | You prefer conventional controls, manual flying and direct control over the automation | More active trim, thrust and energy management are required |
| Simplified default airliner | You are learning circuits, approaches and basic autopilot use | Procedures may not transfer exactly to a high-fidelity add-on |
| Regional jet or widebody | You already understand jet energy management and specifically want that aircraft | Regional jets are not necessarily simpler, while widebodies add inertia and systems workload |
If your real interest is Boeing operations, start with the 737 rather than treating the A320 as a compulsory stepping stone. Our practical comparison of Airbus and Boeing cockpit logic explains which control philosophy is likely to suit you.
Which beginner airliner should you use in each simulator?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024
An included A320-family aircraft is the sensible starting point in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Aircraft carrying the same A320 name can have different MCDU pages, electrical systems and automation depth, so use instructions written for the exact model you are flying.
MSFS 2024 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, but third-party aircraft availability differs by platform. Before installing or buying anything, compare which MSFS 2024 A320 and 737 implementations suit a new simmer.
X-Plane
The included 737-800 is the best no-extra-cost beginner airliner in X-Plane 11 and 12. It is more hands-on than an A320, but it is well suited to learning manual trim, autopilot modes and jet energy management.
A detailed A320-family add-on is a good alternative if Airbus is your goal. The Zibo 737 is a capable freeware progression from the stock aircraft, but its greater systems depth does not make it easier. Check that any package supports your exact X-Plane generation; our guide to which freeware airliners are mature enough to learn covers the strongest options.
FSX and Prepar3D
FSX includes simplified Airbus A321 and Boeing 737-800 models. The A321 is approachable for basic handling and autopilot practice, while the 737 provides a more conventional Boeing workflow. See our advice on the easiest stock airliner path in FSX before moving to a complex add-on.
Prepar3D aircraft vary by version and installed add-ons. Choose a narrowbody with a documented checklist, a reliable autopilot and a saved engines-running state; a well-modelled 737 is a better teacher than an unfinished A320.
How should a beginner learn an airliner?
Learn the aeroplane in layers rather than beginning with a cold-and-dark scheduled flight.
- Create an easy practice flight. Use daylight, fair weather, a long runway, moderate fuel and no random failures, live traffic or ATC. Start with the engines running.
- Calibrate the controls. Check throttle, rudder, brakes, flaps and spoilers before take-off. Remove duplicate axis assignments. In an A320, calibrate the throttle detents inside the aircraft when that facility is provided.
- Hand-fly a visual circuit. Practise take-off, flap retraction, level flight, turns, deceleration and landing without programming a complete route. Use the aircraft’s published speed cues rather than copying speeds from another model.
- Add the autopilot. Begin with selected heading, altitude and speed. Confirm every change on the Flight Mode Annunciator before introducing managed navigation and vertical modes.
- Fly a short IFR sector. Choose two large airports roughly 45–90 minutes apart and finish with an ILS approach. Leave complex departures, arrivals and autoland until you can manage speed and configuration reliably.
- Learn cold-and-dark procedures last. Electrical power, fuel pumps, engine start and full FMS programming make more sense once you understand what the aircraft should do after take-off.
Fix these common beginner failures
Most first-airliner problems come from control calibration, mode awareness or poor energy planning rather than a faulty flight model.
- The autopilot ignores the selected altitude: setting a target is not always the same as commanding a climb or descent. Check the active and armed vertical modes on the Flight Mode Annunciator.
- A320 autothrust surges or reports the wrong lever position: recalibrate the throttle detents and remove duplicate throttle bindings. Move the levers to
CLonly when the aircraft commands it after take-off. - The ILS will not capture: verify that the correct approach and navigation source are selected. Intercept the localiser at a shallow angle and approach the glideslope from below.
- The aircraft is high and fast: begin slowing and descending earlier. Extend speed brakes, flaps and landing gear only within their indicated limits; automation cannot remove excess energy instantly.
- The aircraft veers during take-off: inspect rudder and tiller assignments, dead zones and controller drift. Two devices bound to the same axis are a common cause.
If only one cockpit habit carries over to every detailed airliner, make it this: read the Flight Mode Annunciator after every automation input. It tells you what the aircraft will do next, not what you hoped it would do.